MONITORING THE VEGETATION RECOVERY IN ØSTERILD PLANTAGE 2015

MONITORING THE VEGETATION RECOVERY IN ØSTERILD PLANTAGE 2015 Part 2 Technical Report from DCE Danish Centre for Environment and Energy No. 73 2016 AU AARHUS UNIVERSITY DCE DANISH CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

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MONITORING THE VEGETATION RECOVERY IN ØSTERILD PLANTAGE 2015 Part 2 Technical Report from DCE Danish Centre for Environment and Energy No. 73 2016 Peter Wind Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience AU AARHUS UNIVERSITY DCE DANISH CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Data sheet Series title and no.: Technical Report from DCE Danish Centre for Environment and Energy No. 73 Title: Monitoring the vegetation recovery in Østerild Plantage 2015 Subtitle: Part 2 Authors: Institution: Peter Wind Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience Publisher: Aarhus University, DCE Danish Centre for Environment and Energy URL: http://dce.au.dk/en Year of publication: January 2016 Editing completed: January 2016 Language proofing: Charlotte Kler Referee: Bettina Nygaard Quality assurance, DCE: Jesper Fredshavn Financial support: Ministry of Environment, Nature Agency Thy Please cite as: Wind, P. 2016. Monitoring the vegetation recovery in Østerild Plantage 2015. Part 2. Aarhus University, DCE Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, 44 pp. Technical Report from DCE Danish Centre for Environment and Energy No. 73 http://dce2.au.dk/pub/tr73.pdf Reproduction permitted provided the source is explicitly acknowledged Abstract: Keywords: Layout: Front page photo: The trees in a part of Østerild Plantage have been cut down to give room for a national test center. Before the afforestation, DCE performed a baseline monitoring in the summer of 2011. In the summer 2015, DCE re-monitored the recovery of the vegetation cover in the northernmost part of the afforested area that was covered by plantation of Pinus mugo. The results from the re-monitoring are presented in the report. Østerild Plantage, monitoring, vegetation cover, vegetation composition, shifting dune vegetation, Pinus mugo plantation, pin point analysis, documentary circle, litter layer thickness, light penetration. Graphic Group, AU Silkeborg Afforested dunes at Østerild, 29 July 2015. Photo: Peter Wind. ISBN: 978-87-7156-188-3 ISSN (electronic): 2245-019X Number of pages: 44 Internet version: The report is available in electronic format (pdf) at http://dce2.au.dk/pub/tr73.pdf

Contents Summary 5 Sammenfatning 7 1 Objectives 9 2 Methodology 10 3 Results 12 4 Discussion 19 4.1 Species richness 19 4.2 Invasive 21 4.3 Change in the vegetation composition 22 5 References 23 Appendix 1 24

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Summary The overall objective of the monitoring program in Østerild is to document the succession of the vegetation cover as an outcome of the restoration project targeting open dune habitats following the clear-cutting of parts of the dune plantations at the National Test Centre facility. The first phase of the monitoring program, performed in July, 2011, included recording plant composition and soil conditions prior to the clearing of the dune plantations (the baseline monitoring). Sample areas and plots for the baseline monitoring were established in 2011 in a stratified random way in order to cover the variation in the development of the vegetation and the restoration measure that was described in the implementation plan. Stratification was applied according to the baseline condition (forest type), planned post-cutting treatments of litter layer, and the hydrology, the expected management regimes, the distance to appropriate seed sources, and the topography in the deforested area. During the first 10 years following the clear-cutting, systematic monitoring of the vegetation cover to follow the succession towards open dune habitat types (post-construction monitoring) has been planned. The results of the monitoring program will, as far as possible, contribute to the recommendations for future restoration projects, which aim to convert plantations of especially conifer trees in dune areas into light open habitats that have previously prevailed in the areas. In 2015, the third monitoring phase was initiated. The results of the third phase are presented in the report. The third phase was performed by remonitoring the vegetation cover in the dune area formerly dominated by Pinus mugo. The 2011 monitoring methodology was repeated (Nygaard et al. 2011). The method is based on the variables in the Danish NOVANA program for terrestrial habitats (Fredshavn et al. 2015). The plant composition and vegetation structure were recorded in a pin point frame (0.5 * 0.5 m 2 ). Additional were recorded in a documentation circle with a radius of 5 m for each of the twenty sample plots. In the twenty sample plots monitored in 2015, 64 taxa of vascular plant, bryophytes and lichens were recorded, ranging between twelve and 27 taxa in each plot. The most frequent was Avenella flexuosa recorded in nineteen sample plots. Other abundant were Carex arenaria, Dicranum scoparium, Empetrum nigrum, Hypnum jutlandicum and Pleurozium schreberi. Two, Hypochaeris radicata and Rumex acetosella, which each were recorded as additional in one sample plot in 2011, were recorded in one and nine sample plots in 2013 and in fourteen and eleven sample plots in 2015, respectively. The rest of the 64 taxa were either recorded one, two, or three times in the pin point frames, or solely as additional in the documentation circles. The recorded were also aggregated in nine different more or less systematic groups, where the number of was compared between the three years. The number has clearly improved in the group of broadleaved herbal, the grasses and the rushes and sedges. Thus, the vegetation cover has become more rich due to the lighter conditions fol- 5

lowing the deforestation and, after an initial stage, has become denser, as the frequency of bare litter and naked sand recorded in the pin point frames between 2011 and 2015 has decreased. The disturbance of the soil layer caused by cutting of the trees and removing the trunks and the stumps may lead to the release of nutrients that can favour problematic vascular plant that prefer higher nutrient levels in the soil than originally present in the P. mugo plantation or to a flourishment of invasive. In 2015, two problematic, Epilobium angustifolium and Sencio sylvaticus, were recorded in the sample plots. As the two were only recorded in a few, scattered populations they are not considered as a serious problem and will probably not become dominant in the long term. 6

Sammenfatning Det overordnede formål med overvågningsprogrammet i Østerild Klitplantage er at dokumentere successionen i vegetationsdækket mod lysåbne klitnaturtyper efter rydningen af nåletræsbevoksninger i det nationale testcenter for vindmøller, der er blevet opført i en del af plantagen. Overvågningsprogrammets første fase i 2011 omfattede en registrering af jordbundsforhold, vegetationens struktur og artssammensætning, før træerne blev fældet (basis overvågning). Overvågningsstationer og prøvefelter blev i 2011 udlagt stratificeret tilfældigt med henblik på at dække variationen i vegetationsudviklingen og de behandlinger, der er skitseret i implementeringsplanen. Stratificeringen omfatter udgangspunktet (skovtype), de planlagte behandlinger af førne laget, hydrologien, den forventede pleje og drift af den lysåbne klitnatur, afstanden til egnede spredningskilder og topografien. I de første 10 år efter fældningen er der planlagt en systematisk registrering af ændringerne af vegetationsdækket for at følge successionen mod lysåbne klitnaturtyper ( post-construction overvågning ). Resultaterne af overvågningsprogrammet vil så vidt muligt indgå i anbefalinger til fremtidige genopretningsprojekter, hvor formålet er at konvertere klitplantage til lysåbne naturtyper. Tredje fase af overvågningsprogrammet blev iværksat i 2015. Denne rapport præsenterer resultaterne af genovervågningen af vegetationsdækket på de klitarealer, der førhen var dækket af bjerg-fyr (Pinus mugo) plantage. Ved genovervågningen, hvor tyve prøvefelter blev genundersøgt, blev metodikken, som blev anvendt ved basis moniteringen i 2011, gentaget (Nygaard m.fl. 2011). Metoden er baseret på de økologiske variabler, der anvendes i det nationale NOVANA overvågningsprogram af terrestriske naturtyper (Fredshavn et al. 2015). Artssammensætning og vegetationsstruktur blev registreret i en pin point ramme (0,5 * 0,5 m 2 ), mens der i en 5 m dokumentationscirkel blev registreret supplerende arter. I de tyve prøvefelter blev der i 2013 registreret 64 taxa af karplanter, mosser og laver. Antallet af registrerede taxa varierede med tolv som det laveste og 27 som det højeste i de undersøgte prøvefelter. Den hyppigste art, som blev registreret i 19 af de 20 prøvefelter, var bølget bunket (Avenella flexuosa). De andre hyppige arter var sand-star (Carex arenaria), almindelig kløvtand (Dicranum scoparium), trind fyrremos (Pleurozium schreberi), hede-cypresmos (Hypnum jutlandicum) og revling (Empetrum nigurm). Almindelig kongepen (Hypochaeris radicata) og rødknæ (Rumex acetosella), der blev noteret én gang som supplerende art i hvert sit prøvefelt i 2011, blev registreret i henholdsvis ét og ni prøvefelter i 2013 og i fjorten og elleve i 2015. Resten af de 64 taxa blev kun registreret én, to eller tre gange i pin point rammerne og ellers som supplerende arter i dokumentationscirklerne. De registrerede arter blev samlet i ni forskellige mere eller mindre systematiske enheder, hvor artsantallet blev sammenlignet for de tre år. Der er sket en tydelig forøgelse af artsantallet blandt de bredbladede urter og blandt græsserne samt blandt halvgræsser og siv/frytle. Vegetationsdækket er således blevet mere artsrigt og mere tæt som følge af den forøgede lysmængde 7

efter fældningen af træerne, mens andelen af bar førne og nøgent sand registreret i pin point rammerne er faldet fra 2011 til 2015. Forstyrrelserne som følge af fældningen af nåletræerne og fjernelsen af stammer og stubbe kan medføre en frigivelse af næringsstoffer i jordbunden. Dette kan favorisere problematiske plantearter, der foretrækker et højere indhold af tilgængelige næringsstoffer i jordbunden end det, der oprindeligt var til stede i bjerg-fyr plantagen, eller fremme en opblomstring af invasive arter. I 2015 blev de to problemarter, gederams (Epilobium angustifolium) og skov-brandbæger (Sencio sylvaticus), registreret i prøvefelterne. Da de to arter kun blev registreret i få, spredte bestande, anses det ikke for sandsynligt, at de vil gå hen og blive dominerende på langt sigt. 8

1 Objectives DCE Danish Centre of Environment and Energy at Aarhus University - has performed the second monitoring of the recovery of the vegetation cover following the clear-cutting of a part of in the Østerild plantation complex in the county of Thy in Northern Jutland. The southern part of the plantation complex was afforested in late 1800 with Picea abies, Picea sitchensis and Pinus sylvestris as dominant conifer tree. The northern part of the complex, the plantation of Hjardemål, was established on a drifting sand area dominated by dunes that have been reforested mostly with the sand drift and draught resistant Pinus mugo. In the summer 2011, part of the Østerild plantation complex dominated by conifer trees was deforested to give room for the National Test Centre facility. The clearing was formed as an ellipsoidal opening reaching from Hjardemål in the north to the southern part of Østerild. Before the clear-cutting took place, DCE performed a baseline monitoring of the prevailing vegetation cover and the ecological state in the forested areas of the plantation (Nygaard et al. 2011). 9

2 Methodology In the spring 2011, DCE selected twelve monitoring sites where a reference net with grid cells on 10 x 10 m 2 was established. The monitoring sites were established in plantations where Picea sitchensis, Pinus sylvestris and Pinus mugo were the dominant conifer trees. On each monitoring site, five sample plots were randomly placed among grid cells. On the two sites at Hjardemål, an additional five sample plots were placed in order to cover the topographical variation of the reforested drifting sand area that would be affected by the establishment of the National Test Centre facility. All the hundred sample plots were loaded as way points in a GPS prior to the baseline monitoring (Nygaard et al. 2011). The baseline monitoring was performed by DCE in 2011 prior to the clearcutting of the conifer trees. The baseline monitoring of the hundred sample plots was performed by using pin point analysis and a documentation circle to record the composition and frequency. Besides, a number of vegetative and ecological parameters were recorded. The parameters were measurement of the depth of the accumulated organic matter in the forest floor (the litter layer) and the penetration of light, the vegetation structure, the inclination and direction of the slope where the pin point frame was located. Finally, soil samples for measurements of ph, organic matter and nitrogen in the laboratory were collected at the four corners of the pin point frame. In the pin point analysis, a frame on 0.5 * 0.5 m 2 with 16 points was used, defined by the crossover point between four plus four stretched strings. The frame was placed with the straight sides towards the four main corners of the Earth. A pin was placed at each of the 16 crossover points starting in the north western and ending in the south eastern corner of the frame. Each living part of vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen touched by the pin was recorded. If no part of a plant was touched, the underlying substratum (litter, non-decomposed organic matter, sand etc.) was recorded. Species that were rooted inside the pin point frame and untouched by the pin were recorded as supplementary. The documentation circle had a radius of 5 m covering 78.5 m 2 with its centre placed at the southwestern leg of the pin point frame. The additional not found inside the pin point frame were then recorded. DCE re-monitored the vegetation cover at the dune area in the Hjardemål plantation on July 28 th and 29 th in 2015. A part of the Pinus mugo plantation was cut clear during the autumn, 2011, except for one sample plot where the pine trees were still present. Re-monitoring was performed by using pin point analysis and documentation circle as well as the vegetation structure, the penetration of light measured at the straight sides of the pin point frame towards the four corners of the world, and the inclination and direction of the slope where the pin point frame was located. The height of the vegetation cover was measured at the four corners of the pin point frame starting with the north western leg next to the north eastern, then to the south western, and ending with south eastern leg. In the documentation circle, the coverage of dwarf shrubs, woody plant below and above one meter, bryophytes and lichens, and bare soil and free water surface was estimated. 10

The twenty sample plots monitored in 2011 and 2013 (Wind 2013) were approximately recovered by the use of the waypoints of GPS and by the use of the digital images taken in 2013. Consequently, the twenty sample plots were re-monitored in 2015. 11

3 Results The floristic data, the vegetation and ecological parameters have been compiled in two tables separately in Appendix 1 for each of the twenty sample plots. The floristic data are sorted in the following order: 1) the records from the pin point frame in descending frequency, i.e. the number of touches by the pin, 2) the supplementary, 3) the additional, sorted in alphabetical order. All lichen, bryophyte and vascular plant are mentioned by their international name, while, in addition, the vernacular (English) name has been added for the vascular plants, bryophytes and liverworts. The English names of the vascular plant are based on Stace (2010). The vernacular names of the bryophytes and liverworts have been found on the web. Occasionally, the litter layer, the sand cover, branches, or other fragments of abandoned wood were pinned without touching any parts of the aboveground vegetation cover. Such touches are registered separately in the appendix. In the twenty sample plots at Hjardemål, 64 taxa were recorded with the numbers ranging from twelve at sample plot 94 to 27 at sample plot 85. The number touched by the pin in the frames ranged from one in sample plot 93 to five at sample plot 95. In the sample plots, nineteen broad-leaved herbal, nine grasses, six rushes and sedges, five dwarf shrubs, four deciduous bushes and trees, four coniferous trees, three ferns, eight bryophytes and liverworts and six lichens were recorded (Table 1). The most frequent recorded was the grass Avenella flexuosa, which was recorded in 19 sample plots. The second most frequent in the pin point frame was the bryophyte Pleurozium schreberi, which together with the sedge Carex arenaria, the bryophyte Dicranum scoparium and the dwarf shrub Empetrum nigrum was recorded in fourteen, nineteen, eighteen, and twelve documentation circles, respectively. The remaining 58 taxa were recorded in one or two frame plots, or solely as supplementary or additional (Table 2, 3, and 4). Table 1. The trend in the number of (taxa) in nine different groups in 2011, 2013, and 2015 in the pinpoint frames and 5 m documentary circles. Group of /year 2011 2013 2015 Broad-leaved herbal 8 18 19 Grasses 3 6 9 Rushes and sedges 1 2 6 Dwarf shrubs 5 4 5 Deciduous trees and shrubs 6 7 4 Coniferous trees 4 5 4 Ferns 3 3 3 Bryophytes and liverworts 9 8 8 Lichens 6 5 6 Total 45 58 64 12

Table 2. The plant recorded in the sample areas at Hjardemål in 2015 in alphabetical order. The six most frequent plant are in the top of the table. International Vernacular name Eng- Recorded Recorded Recorded as Recorded in No. of rec- name lish/danish no. of pin no. of pins in supplemen- documentary ords point frames percent of tary circle in total 320 pins Avenella flexuosa Wavy hairy-grass/bølget bunke 19/20 65 % - - 19 Carex arenaria Sand sedge/sand-star 7/20 18 % 5 7 19 Dicranum scoparium Broom moss/almindelig kløvtand 7/20 3 % 1 10 18 Empetrum nigrum Crowberry/Revling 2/20 4% 1 7 10 Hypnum jutlandicum Heath plait-moss/ 4/20 2 % 2 12 18 Hede-cypresmos Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed feather-moss/ 8/20 19 % 3 3 14 Trind fyrremos Agrostis capillaris Common Bent/ Almindelig hvene 0 0 % 0 2 2 Aira praecox Early Hair-grass/ 0 0 % 0 3 3 Tidlig dværgbunke Ammophila arenaria Marram/ Hjælme 0 0 % 0 1 1 Aulacomnium Bog Bead-moss/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 palustre Almindelig filtmos Betula pubescens Downy Birch/Dun-birk 0 0 % 0 5 5 Calluna vulgaris Heather/Hedelyng 0 0 % 0 13 13 Carex panicea Carnation Sedge/ Hirse-star 0 0 % 0 1 1 Carex pilulifera Pill Sedge/Pille-star 0 0 % 0 1 1 Chenopodium album White Goosefoot/ Hvidmelet 0 0 % 0 1 1 gåsefod Chiloscyphus profundus Forskelligbladet kamsvøb 1/20 <1 % 0 0 0 Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle/Ager-tidsel 0 0 % 0 1 1 Cladonia chlorophaea Bægerlav 1/20 1 % 0 8 9 agg. Cladonia micilenta Lakrød bægerlav 1/20 1 % 0 1 2 ssp. floerkeana Cladonia portentosa Hede-rensdyrlav 1/20 <1 % 0 9 10 Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Canadisk bakkestjerne Corynephorus Grey Hair-grass/ S 0 0 % 0 3 3 canescens andskæg Cytisus scoparius Broom/Gyvel 1/20 <1 % 0 2 3 Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern/ Smalbladet 0 0 % 1 8 9 mangeløv Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern/ Bredbladet 0 0 % 0 2 2 mangeløv Elytrigia repens Common Couch/ Almindelig kvik 0 0 % 0 1 1 Epilobium Fireweed/Gederams 0 0 % 0 10 10 angustifolium Epilobium Broad-leaved Willow-herb/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 montanum Glat dueurt Erica tetralix Bog Heather/Klokkelyng 0 0 % 0 2 2 Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw/Lyng-snerre 1/20 <1 % 0 8 9 Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog/Fløjlsgræs 0 0 % 0 4 4 13

Hypochaeris radicata Cat's ear/almindelig kongepen 1/20 <1 % 0 13 14 Hypogymnia Almindelig kvistlav 0 0 % 0 10 10 physodes Jasione montana Sheep's-bit/Blåmunke 0 0 % 0 1 1 Juncus effusus Soft Rush/Lyse-siv 0 0 % 0 2 2 Juncus squarrosus Heath Rush/Børste-siv 0 0 % 0 2 2 Lotus corniculatus Birdsfoot-trefoil/ 0 0 % 0 2 2 Almindelig kællingetand Luzula multiflora Many-headed Woodrush/ 0 0 % 0 4 4 Mangeblomstret frytle Lysimachia europaea Chickweed-wintergreen/ 2/20 2 % 0 5 7 Skovstjerne Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass/Blåtop 0 0 % 0 11 11 Parmelia saxatilis Salted Shield Lichen/ Farveskållav 0 0 % 0 2 2 Persicaria laphathifolia Pale Persicaria/ 0 0 % 0 2 2 ssp pallida Bleg pileurt Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce/Sitka-gran 0 0 % 1 3 4 Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear Hawkweed/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Håret høgeurt Pinus contorta Lodgepole Pine/Klit-fyr 0 0 % 0 1 1 Pinus mugo Mountain Pine/Bjerg-fyr 0 0 % 0 5 5 Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine/Skov-fyr 0 0 % 0 4 4 Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Enårig rapgræs Polygonum aviculare Knotgrass/Vej-pileurt 0 0 % 0 1 1 Polypodium vulgare Polypody/Almindelig engelsød 0 0 % 0 7 7 Ptilidium ciliare Almindelig frynsemos 0 0 % 0 2 2 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak/ Almindelig eg 0 0 % 0 8 8 Rhytidiadelphus Shaggy Moss/Stor kransemos 0 0 % 0 1 1 triquetrus Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel/Rødknæ 0 0 % 0 11 11 Salix repens ssp Creeping Willow/Krybende pil 0 0 % 0 3 3 repens Senecio sylvaticus Wood-Groundsel/ 0 0 % 1 13 14 Skov-brandbæger Senecio viscosus Sticky Groundsel/ 0 0 % 0 4 4 Klæbrig brandbæger Sorbus aucuparia Rowan/Almindelig røn 0 0 % 0 1 1 Spergula arvensis Corn Spurrey/Spergel 0 0 % 0 1 1 Taraxacum sect. Common Dandelion/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Taraxacum Vej-mælkebøtte Tripleurospermum Scentless Mayweed/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 inodorum Lugtløs kamille Vaccinium uliginosum Bog Bilberry/Mose-bølle 1/20 2 % 0 5 6 14

Table 3. The plant recorded in the sample areas at Hjardemål in 2013 in alphabetical order. The six most frequent plant are in the top of the table. International Vernacular name Eng- Recorded no. Recorded no. Recorded as Recorded in No. of records name lish/danish of pin point of pins in supplemen- documentary in total frames percent of 320 tary pins circle Avenella flexuosa Wavy hairy-grass/ 13/20 38 % 3 4 20 Bølget bunke Carex arenaria Sand sedge/sand-star 9/20 14 % 1 8 18 Dicranum scoparium Broom moss/ 0/20 0 % 5 13 18 Almindelig kløvtand Empetrum nigrum Crowberry/Revling 3/20 3 % - 9 12 Hypnum jutlandicum Heath plait-moss/ 5/20 5 % 1 9 15 Hede-cypresmos Pleurozium Red-stemmed feather-moss/ 9/20 8 % - 10 19 schreberi Trind fyrremos Agrostis capillaris Common Bent/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Almindelig hvene Ammophila arenaria Marram/Hjælme 0 0 % 0 1 1 Atriplex patula Common Orache/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Svine-mælde Betula pubescens Downy Birch/Dun-birk 0 0 % 0 2 2 Calluna vulgaris Heather/Hedelyng 2 3 % 0 6 8 Cerastium fontanum Mouseear Chickweed/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 ssp. vulgare Almindelig hønsetarm Chenopodium album Chiloscyphus profundus Cirsium arvense Cladonia chlorophaea agg. Cladonia micilenta ssp. floerkeana White Goosefoot/ Hvidmelet gåsefod 0 0 % 0 2 2 Forskelligbladet kamsvøb 1/20 <1 % 0 1 1 Creeping Thistle/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Ager-tidsel Bægerlav 1/20 <1 % 0 1 2 Lakrød bægerlav 0 0 % 0 1 1 Cladonia portentosa Hede-rensdyrlav 1/20 <1 % 0 8 9 Corynephorus Grey Hair-grass/Sandskæg 0 0 % 0 1 1 canescens Crataegus sp. Hawthorn/Hvidtjørn 0 0 % 0 1 1 Cytisus scoparius Broom/Gyvel 0 0 % 0 2 2 Dryopteris Narrow Buckler-fern/ 0 0 % 1 7 8 carthusiana Smalbladet mangeløv Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern/ 0 0 % 0 4 4 Bredbladet mangeløv Epilobium Fireweed/Gederams 0 0 % 0 7 7 angustifolium Erica tetralix Bog Heather/Klokkelyng 0 0 % 0 1 1 Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw/Lyng-snerre 1/20 <1 % 0 2 3 Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog/Fløjlsgræs 0 0 % 0 3 3 Hypochaeris radicata Cat's ear/almindelig kongepen 0 0 % 0 1 1 15

Hypogymnia Tube Lichen/ 0 0 % 0 6 6 physodes Almindelig kvistlav Juncus bulbosus Bulbous Rush/Liden siv 0 0 % 0 1 1 Lysimachia europaea Chickweed-wintergreen/ 1/20 <1 % 0 2 3 Skovstjerne Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass/Blåtop 1 2 % 0 3 4 Parmelia saxatilis Salted Shield Lichen/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Farve-skållav Persicaria laphathifolia Pale Persicaria/ 0 0 % 0 2 2 ssp pallida Bleg pileurt Picea abies Norway Spruce/Rød-gran 0 0 % 0 4 4 Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce/Sitka-gran 0 0 % 0 9 9 Pinus contorta Lodgepole Pine/Klit-fyr 1/20 <1 % 0 2 3 Pinus mugo Mountain Pine/Bjerg-fyr 0 0 % 0 9 9 Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine/Skov-fyr 0 0 % 0 6 6 Polygonum Knotgrass/Vej-pileurt 0 0 % 0 1 1 aviculare Polypodium vulgare Polypody/Almindelig engelsød 0 0 % 0 8 8 Ptilidium ciliare Almindelig frynsemos 0 0 % 1 0 1 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak/ 0 0 % 0 10 10 Almindelig eg Rhytidiadelphus Shaggy Moss/ 0 0 % 0 2 2 triquetrus Stor kransemos Rubus sect. Rubus Bramble/Brombær 0 0 % 0 1 1 Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel/Rødknæ 1/20 <1 % 0 8 9 Salix repens ssp Creeping Willow/Krybende pil 0 0 % 0 2 2 repens Scleropodium Hulbladet fedtmos 0 0 % 0 2 2 purum Senecio sylvaticus Wood-Groundsel/ 0 0 % 0 7 7 Skov-brandbæger Senecio viscosus Sticky Groundsel/ 0 0 % 1 5 6 Klæbrig brandbæger Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade/ 0 0 % 0 2 2 Sort natskygge Sonchus asper Spiny Sow-thistle/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Ru svinemælk Sorbus aucuparia Rowan/Almindelig røn 0 0 % 0 1 1 Spergula arvensis Corn Spurrey/Spergel 0 0 % 0 4 4 Stellaria media Common Chickenweed/ 0 0 % 0 2 2 Fuglegræs Vaccinium Bog Bilberry/Mose-bølle 0 0 % 0 7 7 uliginosum Viola arvensis Field Pansy/ Ager-stedmoderblomst 0 0 % 0 1 1 16

Table 4. The plant recorded in the sample areas at Hjardemål in 2011 in alphabetical order. The six most frequent plant are in the top of the table. International Vernacular name Recorded no. Recorded no. Recorded as Recorded in No. of records name English/Danish of pin point of pins in supplementary documentary in total frames percent of 320 pins circle Avenella flexuosa Wavy hairy-grass/ 15/20 33 % 0 5 20 Bølget bunke Carex arenaria Sand sedge/sand-star 7/20 6 % 0 6 13 Dicranum Broom moss/ 10/20 7 % 6-16 scoparium Almindelig kløvtand Empetrum nigrum Crowberry/Revling 2/20 2 % 1 11 14 Hypnum jutlandicum Heath plait-moss/ 14/20 15 % 3-17 Hede-cypresmos Pleurozium Red-stemmed feather-moss/ 14/20 32 % 5-19 schreberi Trind fyrremos Aulacomnium Bog Bead-moss/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 palustre Almindelig filtmos Betula pubescens Downy Birch/Dun-birk 0 0 % 0 1 1 Calluna vulgaris Heather/Hedelyng 3 6 % 2 4 9 Cerastium fontanum Mouseear Chickweed/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 ssp. vulgare Almindelig hønsetarm Chiloscyphus profundus Forskelligbladet kamsvøb 7/20 9 % 0 1 8 Cladonia Bægerlav 0 0 % 3 0 3 chlorophaea agg. Cladonia ciliata Spinkel rensdyrlav 0 0 % 1 0 1 Cladonia micilenta Lakrød bægerlav 1/20 1 % 0 0 1 ssp. floerkeana Cladonia portentosa Hede-rensdyrlav 2/20 1 % 1 0 3 Cladonia sp.s.str. 1/20 <1 % 2 1 4 Cytisus scoparius Broom/Gyvel 0 0 % 0 2 2 Dryopteris Narrow Buckler-fern/ 0 0 % 0 8 8 carthusiana Smalbladet mangeløv Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern/ 0 0 % 0 3 3 Bredbladet mangeløv Epilobium Fireweed/Gederams 0 0 % 0 2 2 angustifolium Erica tetralix Bog Heather/Klokkelyng 0 0 % 0 3 3 Fagus sylvatica Beech/Bøg 0 0 % 0 1 1 Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw/Lyng-snerre 0 0 % 0 2 2 Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog/Fløjlsgræs 0 0 % 0 1 1 Hylocomium Almindelig etagemos 0 0 % 1 0 1 spendens Hypochaeris Cat's ear/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 radicata Almindelig kongepen Lophozia ventricosa 1/20 1 % 0 0 1 Lysimachia Chickweed-wintergreen/ 1/20 <1 % 1 2 4 europaea Skovstjerne Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass/Blåtop 0 0 % 0 3 3 17

Picea glauca White Spruce/Hvid-gran 0 0 % 0 1 1 Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce/Sitka-gran 0 0 % 0 10 10 Pinus mugo Mountain Pine/Bjerg-fyr 1/20 1 % 2 16 19 Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine/Skov-fyr 0 0 % 0 4 4 Platismatia glauca Blågrå papirlav 1/20 1 % 0 0 1 Polypodium vulgare Polypody/Almindelig engelsød 0 0 % 0 8 8 Ptilidium ciliare Almindelig frynsemos 3 4 % 2 0 5 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak/ 0 0 % 0 9 9 Almindelig eg Rhytidiadelphus Shaggy Moss/Stor kransemos 0 0 % 1 0 1 triquetrus Rosa rugosa Rugosa Rose/Rynket rose 0 0 % 0 1 1 Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel/Rødknæ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Salix repens ssp Creeping Willow/Krybende pil 0 0 % 0 2 2 repens Senecio sylvaticus Wood-Groundsel/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Skov-brandbæger Sorbus aucuparia Rowan/Almindelig røn 0 0 % 0 3 3 Stellaria media Common Chickenweed/ 0 0 % 0 1 1 Fuglegræs Vaccinium uliginosum Bog Bilberry/Mose-bølle 0 0 % 0 7 7 In nine pin point frames, the litter layer was hit by the pin 24 times (8 %) without touching any part of the subterranean vegetation, while the bare sand layer was hit in four frames by the pin 14 times (4 %) (Table 5). Table 5. The trend in pinned litter and soil in the pinpoint frames 2011, 2013, and 2015. Feature 2011 2013 2015 Recorded no. of Recorded no. of Recorded no. of Recorded no. of Recorded no. of Recorded no. of pin point frames pins in percent pin point frames pins in percent pin point frames pins in percent of 320 pins of 320 pins of 320 pins Litter 15/20 21 % 15/20 26 % 9/20 8 % Sand 1/20 1 % 5/20 7 % 4/20 4 % 18

4 Discussion 4.1 Species richness Following the cutting of the coniferous trees, some dominant have improved in frequency, like Avenella flexuosa and Carex arenaria, while other have remained at the same frequency level or even declined, in frequency from 2011 to 2015, especially the planted coniferous, Picea sichensis and Pinus mugo, (Figure 1, 2, 3, and 4, Table 2, 3, 4, and 6). Figure 1. Sample plot 91 in 2013, southern direction. Figure 2. Sample plot 91 in 2015, southern direction. The vegetation cover is dominated by Avenella flexuosa. 19

Figure 3. Sample plot 91 in 2013, southeast direction. Figure 4. Sample plot 93 in 2015, southeast direction. The vegetation cover is dominated by Carex arenaria. The number of recorded (taxa) in the sample plots increased from 45 in 2011 to 58 in 2013 and to 64 in 2015 (Table 1). Especially the number of broad-leaved herbal, grasses, rushes and sedges has improved, while there is a slight decline in the number of deciduous trees and shrubs. For the rest of the groups, the number of is almost constant. A general feature is that all recorded occur frequently in Denmark and most of them are common inhabitants on sandy, nutrient poor soils. The number of taxa is only a numeric value that conceals a much greater divergence in the composition. A number of recorded in 2011 and 2013 have not been recorded in 2015 and vice versa. Vascular plant recorded in 2013 and not in 2015 are Atriplex patula, Solanum nigrum, Sonchus asper, Viola arvensis, and Juncus bulbosus. The first four are all annuals that occur occasionally on disturbed soil. The perennial rush J. bulbosus was recorded in 2013 in a moist track caused by a vehicle at sample plot 86. The track has now been flooded by a newly established lake (Tables 2 and 3). 20

New taxa recorded in 2015 are the perennial sedges and rushes Carex panicea, C. pilulifera, Juncus effusus and J. squarrosus, and the broad-leaved herbals Jasione montana and Pilosella officinarum. Annual have been recorded as newcomers in 2015, too, such as Aira praecox, Conyza canadensis, Poa annua, and Tripleurospermum inodorum. Besides, a number of have improved in frequency compared to 2011 and 2013, when the number of recordings in either the pin point frame or in the documentary circle are taken into consideration. The five most conspicuous are Calluna vulgaris, Hypochaeris radicata, Luzula multiflora, Lysimachia europaea, and Rumex acetosella (Table 6). Table 6. Six native in alphabetical order that have improved in frequency and two exotic tree below the bold line that have decreased in frequency from 2011 to 2013 and 2015 in the sample plots. International Vernacular name Frequency 2011 % Frequency 2013 % Frequency 2015 % name English/Danish Calluna vulgaris Heather/Hedelyng 45 % 20 % 60 % Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear/almindelig kongepen 5 % 5 % 70 % Lysimachia europaea Chickweed-wintergreen/ 20 % 15 % 35 % Skovstjerne Luzula multiflora Heath Wood-rush/ 0 5 % 20 % Mangeblomstret frytle Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass/Blåtop 15 % 20 % 55 % Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel/Rødknæ 5 % 45 % 55 % Picea sitchensis Sitka-Spruce/Sitka-gran 50 % 45 % 20 % Pinus mugo Mountain Pine/Bjerg-fyr 95 % 45 % 25 % The occurrence of not recorded in, or that have improved in frequency, since 2013 might be caused by spreading to the clear cut dune areas, as especially many annuals are able to spread quickly to newly opened soil, but vanish when the vegetation cover becomes denser. On the other hand, the above mentioned perennials are all native that inhabit sandy, nutrient poor, open soils. They might originate from either the seed bank or be spread from neighbouring populations, as there are many suitable habitats in the surroundings of the Østerild plantation complex. Another explanation might be that some of the sample plots were not located exactly on the same spot as in 2013, as there is a margin of error when using hand-held GPS to recover the centre of the sample areas. 4.2 Invasive Clear cutting of trees, removing the trunks, branches, and stumps has led to a lot of disturbance to the top soil layer. One consequence may be the release of nutrients accumulated in the soil. When released, they can change the composition of the vegetation cover. The area may have been invaded by that prefer a higher nutrient level in the soil than that present in the Pinus mugo plantation, e.g. like Epilobium angustifolium, Galeopsis bifida, Rubus ideaus, and Urtica dioica. Such a development has not been observed in the deforested area, probably because the amount of nutrients released after the cutting of the pine trees is too low. Of the quoted, E. angustifolium has been recorded in two sample plots in 2011, seven in 2013 and ten in 2015, solely as single plants or seedlings, but with an improving frequency. Another consequence of the deforestation may be the possible spread of invasive like Amelancher spicata, Prunus serotina and Rosa rugosa, which together with seedlings of pine and spruce trees are recorded in the Østerild 21

plantation complex as well. Rosa rugosa was recorded in sample plot 84 in 2011. Neither of the quoted invasive were recorded in the twenty sample plots in 2013 or in 2015. The number of annual may also indicate great changes of the growth conditions. But it is only at the sample plots near road construction and establishment of telecommunications masts that a high number of annual like Senecio sylvaticus, S. viscosus and Spergula arvensis has been recorded, e.g. at sample plots 85 and 87 (Annex 1). 4.3 Change in the vegetation composition Cutting the pine trees changed the stable woodland climate of the Pinus mugo plantation and exposed especially lichens and bryophytes to more open terrestrial conditions. This might be the reason for the amounts of withered or dead tussock of especially bryophytes that, in part, have dominated the former forest floor of the plantation. The deforestation and the more prominent vegetation cover have caused a decrease in the amount of bare sand and naked litter layer (Figures 3 and 4, Table 5). The altered growing conditions give way to more light demanding, strongly competitive broad-leaved herbals and grasses. Vegetation cover dominated by grasses, especially Avenella flexuosa and Molinia caerulera, and more drought resistant dwarf shrubs like Calluna vulgaris and Empetrum nigrum that have been recorded in the sample plots in 2015 in increasing frequencies - may be expected. Other light and drought demanding like Hypochaeris radicata, Luzula multiflora and Rumex acetosella have also become more frequent in the sample plots (see Table 6). The were barely recorded in the dense vegetation cover of the Pinus mugo plantation in 2011. 22

5 References Fredshavn, J.R., Nielsen, K.E., Ejrnæs, R. & Nygaard, B. (2015). Overvågning af terrestriske naturtyper, v. 3. Teknisk anvisning fra Fagdatacenter for Biodiversitet og Terrestrisk Natur, TA-N01. 28 s. http://bios.au.dk/fileadmin/bioscience/fagdatacentre/biodiversitet/tan 01_Terrestriske_naturtyper_v3.pdf Nygaard, B., Wind, P. & Ejrnæs, R. (2011). Restoration of dune habitats in Østerild Klitplantage - baseline monitoring 2011. Aarhus University, DCE Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, 36 pp. - Scientific Report from DCE Danish Centre for Environment and Energy No. 13. http://www.dmu.dk/pub/sr13.pdf Stace, C. (2010). New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press. xxxiv+1232 pp. Wind, P. (2013). Monitoring the vegetation recovery in Østerild Plantage 2013. Part 1. Aarhus University, DCE Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, 40 pp. Technical Report from DCE Danish Centre for Environment and Energy No. 30. http://dce2.au.dk/pub/tr30.pdf 23

Appendix 1 Note: In the 2013 report (Wind 2013) some errors occur. The light penetration value should be the reverse value, e.g. 0 should be substituted by 96, and especially in sample plot 92 the values are N: 25, E: 35, S: 34 and N: 28. The more than sign > should be substituted by the less than sign <. Sample plot 0 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 20 25 25 25 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 10 0 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 0 <1 5 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 0. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 14 - - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss 13 - - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - + - Betula pubescens Downy Birch - - + Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Cladonia chlorophaea agg. - - + Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - - + Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern - - + Empetrum nigum Crowberry - - + Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed - - + Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath - - + Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw - - + Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog - - + Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Luzula multiflora Heath Wood-rush - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Polypodium vulgare Polypody - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Vaccinium uliginosum Bog Bilberry - - + Cladonia sp. s.s. - - + Bryopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 0. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 24

Sample plot 1 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 15 3 15 15 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover <1 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 14 o SW 2 5 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 1. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Carex arenaria Sand Sedge 13 - - Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 9 - - Cytisus scoparius Broom 1 - - Lysimachia europaea Chickweed-wintergreen 1 - - Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - + - Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - - + Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern - - + Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw - - + Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Polygonum aviculare Knotgrass - - + Polypodium vulgare Polypody - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Senecio viscosus Sticky Groundsel - - + Cladonia sp. s.s. - - + Bryopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 1. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 25

Sample plot 2 Date of monitoring: 29-07-2015 Height of vegetation 30 30 30 30 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover <1 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 12 o SW <1 <1 <1 Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 2. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 10 - - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss 4 - - Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss 3 - - Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw 1 - - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - + - Betula pubescens Downy Birch - - + Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern - - + Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern - - + Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Hypogymnia physodes Tube Lichen - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Parmelia saxatilis Salted Shield Lichen - - + Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce - - + Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Lysimachia europaea Chickweed-wintergreen - - + Cladonia sp. s.s. - - + Bryopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 2. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 26

Sample plot 3 Date of monitoring: 29-07-2015 Height of vegetation 20 20 20 20 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover <1 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 8 o S 10 2 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 3. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 9 - - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss 4 - - Litter 3 - - Sand 2 - - Hypnum cupressiforme Cypress-leaved Plait-moss 1 - - Cladonia portentosa - + - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - - + Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Cladonia chlorophaea agg. - - + Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Hypogymnia physodes Tube Lichen - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Polypodium vulgare Polypody - - + Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak - - + Cladina sp. - - + Cladonia sp. s.s. - - + Bryopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 3. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 27

Sample plot 84 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 10 25 15 10 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover <1 0 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 0 25 <1 <1 Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 84. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Carex arenaria Sand Sedge 15 - - Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 8 - - Litter 1 - - Seedling, dicot - + - Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Carex pilulifera Pill Sedge - - + Chenopodium album White Goosefoot - - + Cytisus scoparius Broom - - + Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern - - + Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern - - + Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed - - + Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw - - + Hypnum cupressiforme Cypress-leaved Plait-moss - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Juncus squarrosus Heath Rush - - + Luzula multiflora Heath Wood-rush - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Persicaria laphathifolia ssp. Pale Persicaria - - + pallida Polypodium vulgare Polypody - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Salix repens var. repens Creeping Willow - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Lysimachia europaea Chickweed-wintergreen - - + Cladonia sp. s.s. - - + Bryopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 84. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 28

Sample plot 85 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 5 30 5 25 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 2 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 0 1 10 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 85. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 15 - - Empetrum nigum Crowberry 11 - - Lysimachia europaea Chickweed-wintergreen 5 - - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge 3 - - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss 3 - - Ammophila arenaria Marram - - + Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle - - + Cladonia portentosa - - + Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane - - + Corynephorus canescens Grey Hair-grass - - + Elytrigia repens Common Couch - - + Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willow-herb - - + Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw - - + Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog - - + Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Hypogymnia physodes Tube Lichen - - + Jasione montana Sheep s-bit - - + Lotus corniculatus Birdsfoot-trefoil - - + Pinus mugo Mountain-pine + Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine - - + Salix repens var. repens Creeping Willow - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Senecio viscosus Sticky Groundsel - - + Taraxacum sect. Taraxacum Common Dandelion - - + Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless Mayweed - - + Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichens - - + Bryopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 85. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 29

Sample plot 86 Date of monitoring: 29-07-2015 Height of vegetation 1 20 1 15 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 2 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 12 o S 2 25 25 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were probably placed approx. 8-10 m to the vest as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 86. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 6 - - Other lichen 3 - - Cladonia chlorophaea agg. 2 - - Cladonia macilenta ssp. 2 - - floerkeana Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss 1 - - Litter 1 - - Betula pubescens Downy Birch - - + Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - - + Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern - - + Empetrum nigum Crowberry - - + Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw - - + Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Hypogymnia physodes Tube Lichen - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce - - + Pinus mugo Mountain-pine - - + Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine - - + Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Lysimachia europaea Chickweed-wintergreen - - + Cladonia sp. s.s. - - + Bryopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 86. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 30

Sample plot 87 Date of monitoring: 29-07-2015 Height of vegetation 20 10 15 10 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 2 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 20 o NE 15 <1 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 87. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 14 - - Vaccinium uliginosum Bog Bilberry 5 - - Chiloscyphus profundus 1 - - Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss 1 - - Litter 1 - - Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern - + - Agrostis capillaris Common Bent - - + Aira praecox Early Hair-grass - - + Aulacomnium palustre Bog Bead-moss - - + Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - - + Carex panicea Carnation Sedge - - + Empetrum nigum Crowberry - - + Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed - - + Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog - - + Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Hypogymnia physodes Tube Lichen - - + Juncus effusus Soft Rush - - + Juncus squarrosus Heath Rush - - + Luzula multiflora Heath Wood-rush - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce - - + Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Lysimachia europaea Chickweed-wintergreen - - + Bryopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 87. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 31

Sample plot 88 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 15 15 0 20 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 1 > 1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 9 o SW 20 <1 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Tracks from vehicle in the plot area have been made after 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 88. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 10 - - Sand 5 - - Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss 1 - - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - + - Bryopsida - + - Betula pubescens Downy Birch - - + Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Cladonia chlorophaea agg. - - + Cladonia macilenta ssp. - - + floerkeana Cladonia portentosa - - + Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern - - + Empetrum nigum Crowberry - - + Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed - - + Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw - - + Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Sorbus aucuparia Rowan - - + Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichens - - + Cladonia sp. s.s. - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 88. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 32

Sample plot 89 Date of monitoring: 29-07-2015 Height of vegetation 2 20 15 30 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover <1 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 0 0 25 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were not placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013 as the 2013 photo was missing. A new photo has been taken. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 89. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 12 - - Hypnum cupressiforme Cypress-leaved Plait-moss 2 - - Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss 1 - - Empetrum nigum Crowberry 1 - - Branch 2 - - Litter 1 - - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss - + - Bryopsida - + - Betula pubescens Downy Birch - - + Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - - + Cladonia portentosa - - + Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed - - + Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Hypogymnia physodes Tube Lichen - - + Juncus effuses Soft Rush - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear Hawkweed - - + Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak - - + Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Shaggy Moss - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Vaccinium uliginosum Bog Bilberry - - + Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichens - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 89. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 33

Sample plot 90 Date of monitoring: 29-07-2015 Height of vegetation 20 20 7 15 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover <1 0 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 0 0 10 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 90. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 16 - - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - + - Hypnum cupressiforme Cypress-leaved Plait-moss - + - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss - + - Bryopsida - + - Cladonia portentosa - - + Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - - + Empetrum nigum Crowberry - - + Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed - - + Hypogymnia physodes Tube Lichen - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Seedling, gymnosperm - - + Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichens - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 90. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 34

Sample plot 91 Date of monitoring: 29-07-2015 Height of vegetation 25 1 30 1 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 5 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 8 o SW <1 10 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 91. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 11 - - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss 7 - - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - + - Hypnum cupressiforme Cypress-leaved Plait-moss - + - Bryopsida - + - Betula pubescens Downy Birch - - + Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - - + Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern - - + Empetrum nigum Crowberry - - + Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Hypogymnia physodes - - + Pinus mugo Mountain-pine - - + Vaccinium uliginosum Bog Bilberry - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 91. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 35

Sample plot 92 Date of monitoring: 29-07-2015 Height of vegetation 0 30 1 1 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 0 0 0 0 Light penetration N: 30 E: 26 S: 24 W: 36 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 36 o NNW <1 50 1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 92. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 4 - - Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss 1 - - Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss 3 - - Litter 8 - - Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce - + - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss - + - Bryopsida - + - Empetrum nigum Crowberry - - + Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed - - + Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog - - + Hypogymnia physodes - - + Parmelia saxatilis - - + Pinus mugo Mountain-pine - - + Polypodium vulgare Polypody - - + Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 92. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 36

Sample plot 93 Date of monitoring: 29-07-2015 Height of vegetation 10 10 0 15 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 0 0 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 0 65 0 0 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 93. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Carex arenaria Sand Sedge 11 - - Sand 5 - - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss - + - Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass - - + Agrostis capillaris Common Bent - - + Aira praecox Early Hair-grass - - + Corynephorus canescens Grey Hair-grass - - + Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Lotus corniculatus Birdsfoot-trefoil - - + Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass - - + Persicaria laphathifolia ssp. Pale Persicaria - - + pallida Pinus mugo Mountain-pine - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Senecio viscosus Sticky Groundsel - - + Spergula arvensis Corn Spurrey - - + Seedling, gymnosperm - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 93. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 37

Sample plot 94 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 12 25 10 5 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 0 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 10 o SW 10 <1 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 94. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 9 - - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge 5 - - Litter 2 - - Cytisus scoparius Broom - - + Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - - + Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed - - + Hypnum cupressiforme Cypress-leaved Plait-moss - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss - - + Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichens - - + Cladonia chlorophaea agg. - - + Bryopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 94. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 38

Sample plot 95 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 1 0 1 3 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 0 0 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 23 o SW 25 <1 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 95. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 6 - - Cladonia portentosa 1 - - Hypnum cupressiforme Cypress-leaved Plait-moss 1 - - Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear 1 - - Litter 4 - - Sand 2 - - Lichen 95.1 1 - - Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - + - Lichen 95.2 - + - Lichen 95.3 - + - Bryopsida - + - Aira praecox Early Hair-grass - - + Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - - + Corynephorus canescens Grey Hair-grass - - + Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichens - - + Cladonia sp. s.s. - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 95. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 39

Sample plot 96 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 30 30 40 30 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 0 0 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 11 o NE 2 5 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 96. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 16 - - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss 6 - - Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - + - Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - - + Cladonia chlorophaea agg. - - + Cladonia portentosa - - + Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - - + Hypnum cupressiforme Cypress-leaved Plait-moss - - + Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Luzula multiflora Heath Wood-rush - - + Ptilidium ciliare - - + Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichens - - + Cladonia sp. s.s. - - + Bryopsida - - + Marchantiopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 96. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 40

Sample plot 97 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 20 4 15 20 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 0 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 0 10 <1 <1 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 97. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 15 - - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge 10 - - Empetrum nigum Crowberry - + - Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichens - + - Cladonia sp. s.s. - + - Bryopsida - + - Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Cladonia chlorophaea agg. - - + Cladonia portentosa - - + Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - - + Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed - - + Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Senecio viscosus Sticky Groundsel - - + Vaccinium uliginosum Bog Bilberry - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 97. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 41

Sample plot 98 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 25 0 25 20 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 0 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 7 o SW 1 20 2 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 98. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss 9 - - Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 8 - - Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss 1 - - Litter 3 - - Other lichen - + - Bryopsida - + - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge - - + Cladonia chlorophaea agg. - - + Cladonia portentosa - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Hypogymnia physodes - - + Polypodium vulgare Polypody - - + Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak - - + Rumex acetosella Sheep s Sorrel - - + Senecio sylvaticus Heath Groundsel - - + Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichens - - + Cladonia sp. s.s. - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 98. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 42

Sample plot 99 Date of monitoring: 28-07-2015 Height of vegetation 25 25 30 30 in cm Dwarf shrub Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs Free water surface below 1 m over 1 m Cover 2 <1 0 0 Light penetration 96 96 96 96 Inclination Direction of inclination Cover of bare soil Cover of bryophytes Cover of lichens in m 2 30 o NE 0 10 5 Remarks The pinpoint frame and the documentary circle were placed approx. at the same spot as in 2013. Vegetation and ecological parameters in Sample plot 99. International name Vernacular name No. of pins Supplementary Additional Avenella flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass 15 - - Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss 14 - - Carex arenaria Sand Sedge 1 - - Lichen 99 1 - - Cladonia sp. s.s. - + - Bryopsida - + - Calluna vulgaris Heather - - + Cladonia chlorophaea agg. - - + Cladonia portentosa - - + Cladonia rangiferina - - + Dicranum scoparium Broom Moss - - + Dryopteris carthusiana Narrow Buckler-fern - - + Empetrum nigum Crowberry - - + Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed - - + Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath - - + Hypnum jutlandicum Heath Plait-moss - - + Hypochaeris radicata Cat s-ear - - + Pinus contorta Lodgepole Pine - - + Pinus mugo Mountain-pine - - + Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine - - + Polypodium vulgare Polypody - - + Ptilidium ciliare - - + Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak - - + Salix repens var. repens Creeping Willow - - + Lysimachia europaea Chickweed-wintergreen - - + Vaccinium uliginosum Bog Bilberry - - + Microlichen - - + Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichens - - + Marchantiopsida - - + Species recorded in Sample plot 99. A is only registered in the table the first time it is recorded in the field. 43

MONITORING THE VEGETATION RECOVERY IN ØSTERILD PLANTAGE 2015 Part 2 The trees in a part of Østerild Plantage have been cut down to give room for a national test center. Before the afforestation DCE has performed a baseline monitoring in the summer of 2011. DCE has in summer 2015 re-monitored the recovery of the vegetation cover in the northernmost part of the afforested area that was covered by plantation of Pinus mugo. The results from the re-monitoring are presented in the report. ISBN: 978-87-7156-188-3 ISSN: 2245-019X